GREER, S.C. -- Greenville County Councilman Tony Trout faced a stiff challenge in his bid to be reelected to his District 18 council seat.

But even before the polls closed, things went from bad to worse Tuesday afternoon when the FBI showed up at his home with a search warrant.

Trout got 29 percent of the vote, trailing Joseph Baldwin's 44 percent, but good enough for a place in a runoff on June 24.

FBI agents arrived at Trout's home in Greer at about dinnertime and seized four computers.

Trout took digital pictures as agents went through his electronics.

A search warrant that Trout showed WYFF News 4 said that agents were authorized to look for any records or information taken from Greenville County administrator Joe Kernell, council Chairman Butch Kirven or any other council members.

In addition, the FBI said it was also looking for any spy software on Trout's computers.

A state grand jury has been investigating Trout since January.

Trout said that his troubles began when he testifed before the Greenville County Grand Jury to report what he alleges is illegal activity surrounding the county's road-paving program.

"They are sending a message, is what they're doing and I understand that," Trout told WYFF News 4's Stephanie Trotter. "But i'm not going to back down whatsoever. The closer I get to the truth, the more they turn up the heat."

Phone calls from, WYFF News 4 to the FBI on Tuesday night seeking comment were not returned.

Meanwhile, Greenville County officials said that they stand by the road-paving program and that outside auditors brought in by the county didn't find any problems with it.